Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I welcome everybody to the Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage, including our guests and those watching online. The committee will consider the review of the planning legislation that is currently being carried out by the Office of the Attorney General. We are joined by officials from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, including Ms Maria Graham, assistant secretary, planning; Ms Mary Jones, principal officer of the planning legislation review unit; Mr. Eugene Waters, assistant principal officer in the planning legislation review unit; Mr. Paul Hogan, principal planning adviser; and Mr. Colin Ryan, senior planning adviser.

As everybody will be aware, the planning Act we use at the moment is more than 20 years old. It would be safe to describe it as a labyrinth of amendments. It crosses over with so many environmental laws and European directives, and decisions made within that Act have an impact on our daily lives, everything we do, places we live and how we travel around this country. Decisions made under that Act will affect us in the future. It is probably timely to review the Act. We look forward to considering the progress of the review.

I remind members of the constitutional requirement that they must be physically present within the confines of the place where Parliament has chosen to sit, namely, Leinster House, to participate in public meetings. Witnesses attending in the committee room are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their contribution to today's meeting. This means they have an absolute defence against any defamation action for anything they say at the meeting. Both members and witnesses are expected not to abuse the privilege they enjoy. It is my duty as Chair to ensure this privilege is not abused. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative they comply with any such direction. Members and witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official, either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I invite Ms Graham to make her opening statement on behalf of the Department.